Since before World War II, many Department of Defense (DoD) activities, including weapons testing, practice bombing, and field maneuvers, have affected Native American lands. DoD initiated the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program ("Indian Lands Program") to address these environmental impacts.

One of the Department of Defense’s proudest accomplishments is the progress we have made toward building collaborative relationships with American Indians and Alaska Natives. Central to our efforts to address environmental impacts on Indian lands is the DoD American Indian and Alaska Native Policy.